In Renaissance sacred music, what language was predominately used?

During the Renaissance period, Latin was the predominant language used in sacred music. This was primarily due to the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, which conducted its liturgical services in Latin. The significance of Latin in sacred music is reflected in countless compositions created during this era, particularly in the genres of mass settings and motets. Composers such as Josquin des Prez and Palestrina used Latin texts to set sacred themes for worship, ensuring that the music aligned with the religious practices of the time.

While vernacular languages began to emerge later in the Renaissance, particularly with the Protestant Reformation, the overwhelming body of sacred music created during the earlier part of the Renaissance was firmly rooted in Latin. Greek and French were not commonly used in the same context for sacred music during this period, making Latin the clear and definitive choice for the language of Renaissance sacred music.